Chris MacQuarrie
@cmacquar.bsky.social
Husband, Dad, Entomologist, Ecologist, Researcher with NRCan Canadian Forest Service , and a (lapsed) Curler. Occasional climate scientist.
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Thousands of workers cut from the federal public service, including scientists, researchers, and entire programs across environmental, wildlife, and health fields. This is a devastating blow to science and monitoring across Canada, and will have far-reaching impacts. www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Here is the latest on possible job cuts in the federal public service
Hundreds of public servants have already received layoff notices in Ottawa and across Canada, as the federal government begins to issue notices of potential job cuts in departments. CTVNewsOttawa.ca l...
www.ctvnews.ca
January 30, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Thousands of workers cut from the federal public service, including scientists, researchers, and entire programs across environmental, wildlife, and health fields. This is a devastating blow to science and monitoring across Canada, and will have far-reaching impacts. www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Proud to share the new Bluesky page for the Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre here in Prague! bsky.app/profile/fore...
bsky.app
January 30, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Proud to share the new Bluesky page for the Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre here in Prague! bsky.app/profile/fore...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
The Boreal Avian Modelling Centre is hiring a postdoctoral fellow to develop high-resolution, Canada-wide models of waterbird density.
The models will be used as indicators of local wetland health and large-scale environmental change.
Open until filled!
borealbirds.ca/postdoctoral...
The models will be used as indicators of local wetland health and large-scale environmental change.
Open until filled!
borealbirds.ca/postdoctoral...
January 29, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The Boreal Avian Modelling Centre is hiring a postdoctoral fellow to develop high-resolution, Canada-wide models of waterbird density.
The models will be used as indicators of local wetland health and large-scale environmental change.
Open until filled!
borealbirds.ca/postdoctoral...
The models will be used as indicators of local wetland health and large-scale environmental change.
Open until filled!
borealbirds.ca/postdoctoral...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Bloc MP Perron condemns ‘ridiculous’ spending cuts that will shutter research farms across Canada
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
January 29, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Bloc MP Perron condemns ‘ridiculous’ spending cuts that will shutter research farms across Canada
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Rest of trees laughing at tree brought down by storm buff.ly/tLWaITA
January 27, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Rest of trees laughing at tree brought down by storm buff.ly/tLWaITA
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Planning your travel for #GSB2026 Global #Soil #Biodiversity conference in Victoria BC? There is information about travel as well as airline discount codes available on our webpages: globalsoilbiodiversity2026.org/travel-amp-v...
Travel & Visa - Global Soil Biodiversity Conference 2026
Travel and Visa VISA REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION Please refer to IRCC website to learn about a temporary resident visa (visitor visa) and the application process. Please note that visa applications a...
globalsoilbiodiversity2026.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Planning your travel for #GSB2026 Global #Soil #Biodiversity conference in Victoria BC? There is information about travel as well as airline discount codes available on our webpages: globalsoilbiodiversity2026.org/travel-amp-v...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Actually let me do this proper
January 27, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Actually let me do this proper
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
I first met Kirsty when we studied at the U of Edinburgh. When I came to study at the U of Toronto, I lived with her family for 2 weeks while I sorted out housing. They were so good to me, and had me frequently for dinner and holidays. A wonderful person who’ll be missed.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan dead at 59 | CBC News
Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan has died at the age of 59 following a years-long battle with cancer.
www.cbc.ca
January 27, 2026 at 2:09 AM
I first met Kirsty when we studied at the U of Edinburgh. When I came to study at the U of Toronto, I lived with her family for 2 weeks while I sorted out housing. They were so good to me, and had me frequently for dinner and holidays. A wonderful person who’ll be missed.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
OK, but what do the Canadiens, Leafs, Jets, Oilers, Flames and Canucks think?
Senators push Canada to host future Olympics as committee eyes potential bid for 2038
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...
Senators push Canada to host future Olympics as committee eyes potential bid for 2038
As Canada faces threats to its sovereignty, Ontario Senator Marnie McBean says hosting an Olympics is a surefire way to create national unity and demonstrate Canadian strength.
www.hilltimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:48 PM
OK, but what do the Canadiens, Leafs, Jets, Oilers, Flames and Canucks think?
In light of this, the national past time of "making fun of Toronto when it snows", is hereby suspended until further notice.
Toronto can now expect up to 50 centimetres of snow on Sunday — and possibly more.
Follow along here for live updates
Follow along here for live updates
Toronto snowstorm: Many flights cancelled at Pearson; TTC stops and GO affected; up to 50 cm of snow expected
Sunday’s snowstorm could make this January one of the top 10 snowiest in Toronto’s history.
www.thestar.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:59 PM
In light of this, the national past time of "making fun of Toronto when it snows", is hereby suspended until further notice.
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
📣 Join us - we’re hiring an engagement officer for the CAN BON 🍁 initiative!
An effort to transform Canada’s capacity to mobilize its knowledge about the changing state of nature.
See the job posting here👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew...
An effort to transform Canada’s capacity to mobilize its knowledge about the changing state of nature.
See the job posting here👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew...
📣 We are hiring! Please share far and wide...
I am seeking an Engagement Officer to support the emergence of a Canadian Biodiversity Observation Network (CAN BON). This position is a unique… | Andrew ...
📣 We are hiring! Please share far and wide...
I am seeking an Engagement Officer to support the emergence of a Canadian Biodiversity Observation Network (CAN BON). This position is a unique opportunit...
www.linkedin.com
January 23, 2026 at 8:19 PM
📣 Join us - we’re hiring an engagement officer for the CAN BON 🍁 initiative!
An effort to transform Canada’s capacity to mobilize its knowledge about the changing state of nature.
See the job posting here👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew...
An effort to transform Canada’s capacity to mobilize its knowledge about the changing state of nature.
See the job posting here👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
A really important thread about people, place, and belonging. And poor care for others.
And this is why I love @stnicholasleics.bsky.social
And this is why I love @stnicholasleics.bsky.social
A few days ago, I stood in the graveyard of an 1100 year old church, getting damper and damper in the drizzling rain.
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
A woman walked into the graveyard, waved, said hello, and, as we had previously arranged, handed me a paper bag full of human bones.
The life of a churchwarden is a strange one...
January 23, 2026 at 1:32 PM
A really important thread about people, place, and belonging. And poor care for others.
And this is why I love @stnicholasleics.bsky.social
And this is why I love @stnicholasleics.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
The notice, published today, applies to a 2020 meta-analysis measuring population patterns of freshwater and terrestrial insects and predicting what might drive changes in population numbers.
‘Kicking the can down the road’: Science flags insect meta-analysis based on allegedly buggy database
An insect meta-analysis published in Science in 2020 has been hit with an EOC. (Photo credit: Aron Sousa) Science has issued a permanent expression of concern for a paper reporting a meta-analysis …
retractionwatch.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:31 PM
The notice, published today, applies to a 2020 meta-analysis measuring population patterns of freshwater and terrestrial insects and predicting what might drive changes in population numbers.
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Hey museum / collection / natural history folks! I am looking for a database of inter-institution loans of specimens. Does such a thing exist? Is this info that would be in @gbif.org in some way?
@thelabandfield.bsky.social ?
🧪
@thelabandfield.bsky.social ?
🧪
January 22, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Hey museum / collection / natural history folks! I am looking for a database of inter-institution loans of specimens. Does such a thing exist? Is this info that would be in @gbif.org in some way?
@thelabandfield.bsky.social ?
🧪
@thelabandfield.bsky.social ?
🧪
I think this is a decent metaphor. You buy the pen on the right because you think it will be useful, but then you find out it's really not that good for everyday use. But you keep it around for that every once and while that you need a lime green pen.
yeah, just out of interest, how many people choose the pen on the right for real work or art? See a lot of them in professional workplaces, do you?
January 22, 2026 at 12:45 PM
I think this is a decent metaphor. You buy the pen on the right because you think it will be useful, but then you find out it's really not that good for everyday use. But you keep it around for that every once and while that you need a lime green pen.
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Can't believe this Letterkenny clip of a bunch of far right shitheels getting stomped isn't around more youtu.be/JObnr5e0TIg?...
Letterkenny - Natives and Hicks vs The Hard Right
YouTube video by ColdDayInHell
youtu.be
January 21, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Can't believe this Letterkenny clip of a bunch of far right shitheels getting stomped isn't around more youtu.be/JObnr5e0TIg?...
Finding out it's snowing in Toronto is like talking to a vegan. You'll know because they tell you...
Snowfall warning in Toronto: 10 cm of snow and hazardous travel expected in parts of Ontario
Yellow snowfall warning in Toronto: 10 cm of snow and hazardous travel expected in parts of Ontario
The alert from Environment Canada calls for nearly 10 centimetres of snow with poor visibility.
www.thestar.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Finding out it's snowing in Toronto is like talking to a vegan. You'll know because they tell you...
Squints in Northern Ontario....
January 21, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Squints in Northern Ontario....
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Not to minimize a real problem, but couple of cautions here:
*53 papers out of 4841
*It is not the job of peer reviewers - esp in conferences - to manually check every citation
*These guys are selling an AI agent to detect bad cites - which is useful, but thats the pitch here.
*53 papers out of 4841
*It is not the job of peer reviewers - esp in conferences - to manually check every citation
*These guys are selling an AI agent to detect bad cites - which is useful, but thats the pitch here.
The results come from the company GPTZero, which claims they “uncovered hundreds of AI-hallucinated citations that slipped past the three or more reviewers assigned to each submission, spanning at least 53 papers in total.”
NeurIPS papers contained 100+ AI-hallucinated citations, new report claims | Fortune
An analysis of NeurIPS 2025 papers by startup GPTZero reveals how AI-generated citations are slipping into elite academic research.
fortune.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Not to minimize a real problem, but couple of cautions here:
*53 papers out of 4841
*It is not the job of peer reviewers - esp in conferences - to manually check every citation
*These guys are selling an AI agent to detect bad cites - which is useful, but thats the pitch here.
*53 papers out of 4841
*It is not the job of peer reviewers - esp in conferences - to manually check every citation
*These guys are selling an AI agent to detect bad cites - which is useful, but thats the pitch here.
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Editor here:
I recently suggested five early career scientists who I know personally and knew would be good reviewers for a paper.
We were only able to find current contact info for one of them.
I recently suggested five early career scientists who I know personally and knew would be good reviewers for a paper.
We were only able to find current contact info for one of them.
A plea from an editor:
postdocs & grad students who want to review manuscripts, please (!) have an online presence with your current email. I try to solicit reviews from ECRs, but we all move a lot, and it's hard to know if we'll be able to reach you at the email address on your last paper 🧪🌍
postdocs & grad students who want to review manuscripts, please (!) have an online presence with your current email. I try to solicit reviews from ECRs, but we all move a lot, and it's hard to know if we'll be able to reach you at the email address on your last paper 🧪🌍
January 20, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Editor here:
I recently suggested five early career scientists who I know personally and knew would be good reviewers for a paper.
We were only able to find current contact info for one of them.
I recently suggested five early career scientists who I know personally and knew would be good reviewers for a paper.
We were only able to find current contact info for one of them.
Ontario's Regional Forest Health Network is planning an online forest practitioner workshop in February: Silviculture and Insecticide Controls for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.
Expression of interest to attend here: forms.gle/GT85WrNtEsDt...
Expression of interest to attend here: forms.gle/GT85WrNtEsDt...
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Training & Workshops – Expression of Interest and Participation
This form collects contact information for individuals interested in participating in Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) training and workshops delivered by the Regional Forest Health Network. The informati...
forms.gle
January 21, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Ontario's Regional Forest Health Network is planning an online forest practitioner workshop in February: Silviculture and Insecticide Controls for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.
Expression of interest to attend here: forms.gle/GT85WrNtEsDt...
Expression of interest to attend here: forms.gle/GT85WrNtEsDt...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
Yesterday it was cows using tools, today its penguins using satellite imagery.
January 20, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Yesterday it was cows using tools, today its penguins using satellite imagery.
I keep waiting for him to pull off these glasses and do the CSI meme...
January 20, 2026 at 9:42 PM
I keep waiting for him to pull off these glasses and do the CSI meme...
Reposted by Chris MacQuarrie
And there's nothing that says you need to publish with your legal name so... more noms de plume!
January 20, 2026 at 8:06 PM
And there's nothing that says you need to publish with your legal name so... more noms de plume!